At this point, it is safe to say that Valheim is one of my favorite survival games. Something about the simplicity of the game mechanics and graphics brings me back time and time again. Whenever a new game hits the genre, I am immediately plagued with thoughts of how it will compare to my favorite title. Therefore, when the Ashlands public playtest went live, I knew I would have to start another save and share my thoughts. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Ashlands Additions to Valheim
For a bit of Norse lore, Muspelheim is like the Elemental Plane of Fire in Dungeons and Dragons. According to Marius of Vikingr (2023), Muspelheim is one of two primordial realms that birthed the cosmos. It is depicted as volcanic and full of fire, symbolizing destruction and change. With the idea of Muspelheim in our head, we can now look at some of the additions to Valheim via the Ashlands update.
Unique Features Added with the Ashlands Playtest
With an update like this, we are bound to see new content! Below is a semi-spoiler-free list of new features. If you do not want to spoil anything before testing it out, I recommend skipping this portion of the article.
- 30+ additional weapons.
- Different types of bombs and ammunition.
- Stylish and functional new armor.
- Fearsome foes to fight.
- 70+ building pieces.
- Tons of new crafting materials.
- This also includes workbench upgrades.
- Recipes to keep our virtual Viking fueled.
- Here, we see new meads.
- With a new biome also comes new terrain and music.
- And so much more!
Thoughts on the Ashlands
Since this is about the public playtest rather than an official update, I want to keep it as spoiler-free as possible. First, I want to remind everyone to make a backup file of your game. My spouse had his dedicated character for this save disappear, and luckily, having a backup file saved us. Second, take your time if starting over with a new save feels daunting. I have barely scratched the surface of the Ashlands, and the playtest has been out for a while now. Gaming is supposed to be fun; as long as you are having a good time, that is all that matters. I know this feels overstated; however, I also know that I can get frustrated with my lack of playtime, and having a gentle reminder can be helpful. Finally, the Ashlands is a blast so far.
Sure, I have died a lot. At times, it has been very ungraceful. However, it feels satisfying. Each biome comes with the feeling that you must relearn how to play. There are new enemies to defeat and challenges to overcome. However, Iron Gate Studio has developed a way to make this replay loop enjoyable. It has gotten to the point that even defeating Yagluth, one of the bosses we have the hardest time with, feels possible. The grind feels less like a slog and more like a race we can finish. All this boils down to say, starting the game over with each new update is worthwhile. Overall, I am looking forward to diving deeper into the Ashlands.
Odds & Ends
If you want to learn more about previous updates, I have shared my thoughts on the Mistlands here. The Valheim website also has a complete list of additions and patch notes. This includes both with and without spoilers for those who wish to remain unbiased. Finally, if you want to get in on the action, this title is available on Steam, Microsoft, and the Humble Store. In conclusion, this is your sign to go take on the Ashlands.
